Splitting machine



Sept. 26, 1939. 1.. J. BAZZONI SPLITTING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 30,- 1937 l I l 1 I l I 1 l J Wvzwrma Sept. 26, 1939. L. J. BAZZONI 2,173,822

SPLITTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 30, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Figiz.

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SPLITTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 30, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig: 5.

Sept. 26, 1939. L. J. BAZZONI 2,173,822

SPLIITING MACHINE Filed Dec. 30, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 PER]:

Sept. 26, 1939. L J. BAZZQN] 2,173,822

SPLITTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 30, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Fig.9.

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SPLITTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 30, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Sept. 26, 1939.

L. J. BAZZONI SPLITTING MAo'RI-NE F iled Dec. 30, 1957 9 Sheet S Sheet a Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPLITTIN G MACHINE Application December 30, 1937, Serial No. 182,547

23 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for use in the manufacture of shoes and is illustrated as embodied in an improved flap-splitting machine of the general type disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,107,281, granted February 8, 1938 on an application filed in my name. In addition to a cutter and mechanism for feeding a sole against the cutter to split a heel-breast covering fiap from the sole, as disclosed in said application, the present machine, in accordance with a feature of this invention, is provided with a punch connected to said mechanism for forming in the heel-seat portion of the sole a recess or jig hole which may be utilized for locating the sole upon the shoe upper in the manner disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,125,328 granted August 2, 1938 on an application filed in my name.

The various features of the invention will be understood and appreciated from reading the following detailed description read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which In the drawings,

Figs. 1 and 2 are front and side views, respectively, partly broken away, of the illustrated machine;

Fig. 3 is a view of the upper portion of the opposite side of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on line IVIV of Fig. 1;

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged views of the upper right-hand portion of Fig. 4 illustrating the positions of the sole-engaging parts of the machine at the start and at the end ofthe sole-splitting operation;

Fig. 7 is a section on line VIIVII of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a section on line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a section on line IX-IX of Fig. 3; Fig. 19 is a section on line XX of Fig. 4; Fig. 11 is a view showing in perspective the presser fingers for forcing the sole against the matrix roll;

Figs. 12 and 13 are detail views showing the cam for raising and lowering the carrier and the cam for moving the cutter to and from its operative position;

Figs. 14 and 15 are enlarged plan and front views of the sole-supporting table and gages for positioning the sole upon the table;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the matrix roll;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the sole after it has been operated upon by the above machine;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the heel end of the sole of Fig. 1'? with its heel-breast covering flap raised away from the heel-seat portion of the sole;

Fig. 19 is a section on the line XIXXIX of Fig. 18;

Figs. 20 and 21 are detail views illustrating the jig hole forming punch during two different stages of the flap-splitting operation.

The invention is described as embodied in a machine for splitting heel-breast covering flaps 30 (Figs. 6, 17, 18 and 19) from unattached soles 32 of shoes and forming in the heel-seat portions 34 of the soles recesses 36 which are used for locating the soles upon shoe uppers (not shown). The heel end of the sole, which is pressed against the periphery of a rotatable matrix roll or drum 38 by a plurality of presser fingers 40 (Figs. 5, 6 and 11) constituting a presser member, is forced against the cutting edge 42 (Fig. 4) of a tubular saw or cutter 44 by an arcuate feed member 46 to form the flap 3!] and a heel-breast receiving shoulder 48 (Fig. 18) located at the base of the flap. In order to form. the recess 36 or jig hole (Figs. 17 and 18) for positioning the sole upon the shoe upper in the manner disclosed in said application for United States Letters Patent Serial No. 36,354, the illustrated machine is provided with a rotatable punch 50 (Figs. 4, 5 and 6) which is carried by the feed member 46. The sole 32, supported by a table 52 (Figs. 5, 6, 14 and 15) and the matrix roll 38, is positioned lengthwise by a back gage 54 (Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 14) and. widthwise by centralizing fingers 5B and one of gages 58, while the presser fingers 40 which are secured by screws 59 (Fig. 5) to a carrier 68 pivoted on a rod 62 (Figs. 2 and 4), and the feed member 46 pinned to a shaft 64 mounted on the carrier, are in their raised inoperative positions (Figs. 4 and 5) away from the matrix roll 38. The feed member 46 and the matrix roll 38 are geared together for rotation in opposite directions through mechanism which will appear later.

When the machine is started by stepping on a treadle 56 (Figs. 1 and 2) which trips a one-revolution clutch 68 (Fig. 2) the carrier 68 is swung toward the matrix roll 38 causing the feed member 46 to be forced against the sole and the presser fingers 4!! to flex the portion of the sole immediately in advance of the cutting edge 42 of the saw 44 widthwise in accordance with the transverse curvature of the periphery of the matrix roll 38, the back gage 54 in the meanwhile being moved from its operative position (Figs. 4 and 5) in front of said cutting edge by mechanism which will be described later. The feed member 46 and the matrix roll 38 are then rotated in clockwise and counterclockwise directions (Figs. 5 and 6, respectively) to force the sole which is progressively distorted by the matrix roll 38 and the presser fingers 40, against the saw 44. During the splitting operation the punch 51] penetrates the sole to a predetermined depth (Fig. 20) and is partially withdrawn from the recess 36 as it is rotated bodily over the top of the saw, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 21. When a heel-breast covering flap 30 of predetermined length has been split from the sole the directions of movement of the matrix roll 38 and the feed member 46 are reversed, the carrier being swung to its inoperative position (Figs. 4 and 5) away from the matrix roll after the sole has been moved forward to its starting position. In order to insure against tearing the flap 30 while the split sole is being moved back to its starting position, the saw 44, together with a shaft II! (Fig. 4) upon which it is mounted, is moved about a quarter of an inch to the left (Fig. 4) away from the matrix roll 33 as soon as the sole has been split. The machine may be stopped at the end of each cycle or may be run continuously at a speed slow enough to enable the operator to place the sole in and to remove the sole from the machine in operation.

The shaft III is threaded into the tubular saw 44 and is journaled in stationary and sliding bearings 12, I4, respectively, mounted in the machine frame. An extension 16 (Figs. 2 and 4) of the sliding bearing 14 houses a thrust bearing 18 (Fig. 4) and is pivoted to a screw 84 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) secured to a block 82 hinged to the upper end of a lever 84. The lever 84 is swung about a pin 86 supported by the main frame causing the tubular saw 44 to move to and from its operative position adjacent to the matrix roll 38, by a link 88 (Fig. 2) which is pivoted to an offset bell-crank lever 90 (Figs. 2 and'l carrying a roll 92 fitting in a groove 94 (Fig. 13) of a cam 96 mounted upon a drive shaft 98 (Fig. 3). The drive shaft 98 is operated through the clutch 68 (Fig. 2) by a gear I 42 which meshes with a worm I44 connected through gears IIIB, IE8 and a pulley and belt arrangement III! to an electric motor II2. When the treadle 66 which trips the clutch 68 is held depressed the drive shaft 98 rotates continuously, but if the operator removes his foot from the treadle immediately after tripping the clutch, the drive shaft comes to rest upon the completion of one revolution. Since the mechanism for operating the drive shaft is of the conventional type, no further description of the same will be necessary.

In order to sharpen the saw without having to remove the same from the machine there is provided a grinder II4 (Fig. 2) which is secured to the lower end of a shaft I I6 carried by a bracket I I8 pivoted upon a shaft I29 secured to the main frame. Keyed to the upper end of the shaft I I6 is a pulley I22 driven by a belt I24 which passes over a double pulley I 26 loosely mounted upon the rod I24. Engaging in the top groove of the pulley I26 is another belt I28 which passes over suitably arranged idler pulleys (not referenced) and normally hangs over but out of driving relation with a pulley I3ii (Figs. 2 and 4) formed integral with a sleeve I32 (Fig. 4) which is splined to the shaft II! and has secured to it a drive pulley I34 receiving its power through suitable mechanism from the motor H2. The pulley I34 is rotated continuously and or erates the shaft Ill upon which the tubular saw 44 is mounted. In order to rotate the grinder II4 the belt 528 may be raised into driving relation with the pulley I30 by adjusting one or more of the idler pulleys with relation to the main frame.

The matrix roll 38 is mounted upon a shaft I 35 journaled in bearings of a bracket I35. The bracket I36 is pivoted upon trunnions I38 (Fig. 2) of a lug I44 (Figs. 1 and 2) which may be secured in different adjusted positions to the main frame. In order to replace the saw 44 or to sharpen the saw without removing the same from the machine, the bracket I36 may be swung forward and then downward about the trunnions 438 after removing a screw I42 which passes through a bore in the bracket and is threaded in to the lug I40. To insure against the operator accidentally starting the machine while the saw 44 is being sharpened, there is pivoted to the bracket I36 a stirrup I44 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) the lower end of which engages a clutch-operating lever I46 when the bracket is swung to its lowered position. Should the operator accidentally step on the treadle 66 the stirrup I44 prevents the same from being depressed and consequently prevents the clutch 68 from being tripped.

In order to raise or lower the matrix roll 38 with relation to the saw 44 in accordance with the desired thickness of flap 3%, the lug I45 which carries the matrix roll may be vertically adjusted in the main frame through the provision of screws I 48 which fit in elongated slots I49 (Fig. 4) in the lug and are threaded into the main frame. A screw I58 (Figs. 1 and 2), which is threaded into the lug I4!) and has its head resting upon a shoulder of the main frame, is provided to insure against vertical movement of the adjusted lug.

The major portion of the periphery of the matrix roll 38 (Figs. 7 and 16) is curved transversely and has a radius of curvature equal to the radius of curvature of the cutting edge 42 of the saw 44. The periphery of the matrix roll 38 also comprises three cylindrical portions I52 (Fig. 16) of different shapes spaced circumferentially from each other. The periphery of the matrix roll 38 is positioned adjacent to the cutting edge 42 of the saw 44, the arrangement being such that the saw and the matrix roll have a common central vertical plane I54 (Fig. 1). It will therefore be clear that the portion of the sole which is forced against the transversely curved portion of the periphery of the matrix roll 38 by the presser fingers 40 is concentric with the cutting edge 42 of the saw 44 as it is presented to said saw and consequently the portions I55 (Figs. 18 and 19) of the flap split from said portion of the sole is of uniform thickness. It will also be noted that the portion of the sole overlying the cylindrical portion I52 of the periphery of the matrix roll 38 is bent to a desirable shape to insure the formation of the reenforced flap portion I51 of non-uniform thickness.

It is desirable to form flaps having reenforced portions I5! of different shapes in order to accommodate heels of different styles. Accordingly, the matrix roll is large enough to provide three arcuate sections any one of which may be swung into its operative position adjacent to the table 52. In order to move any one of the three arcuate sections of the matrix roll 38 into its operative position adjacent to the table 52 while retaining the feed member 46 stationary, there is provided mechanism, which will be described later, for moving driving gears through which the feed member and the matrix roll are operated in timed relation, out of mesh preparatory to rotating the matrix roll to its proper adjusted position with relation to the feed member.

driving gears are moved into meshing relation after the proper adjustment has been effected.

The travel of the sole 32 past the saw 44 and therefore the length of the split flap may be varied by varying, through mechanism which will appear later, the degree of arcuate movement of the feed member 46 and the matrix roll 38. Since it is desirable that flaps of different lengths shall be thickest at their base portions, the arcuate movements of the feed member 46 and the matrix roll 38 are always reversed to move the sole forward away from the knife 44, when a section I56 of the cylindrical portion I52 has been rotated to a position adjacent to the cutting edge 42 of the saw 44. The starting positions of the matrix roll 38 and the feed member 46, and consequently the degree of movement of the same, are varied in accordance with the desired length of flap to be split from the sole.

The shaft 64 to which the feed member 46 is secured is pinned to a gear I58 (Figs. 1 and 7) meshing with a segment gear I60 (Fig. 3) at the forward end of a lever I62 pivoted upon a hearing rod I64 threaded into the carrier 60. The rear end of the lever I62 is connected by a pin 866 to a link I68, the lower bifurcated end I10 (Fig. 9) of which is pivoted, through mechanism which will be described presently, to a lever I12 mounted upon a bearing rod I14 threaded into the main frame. A link I16 is pivoted at its upper end to the lever I12 and has its lower end pivoted to a lever I18 the rear end of which is pivoted upon a bearing rod I80 and the forward end of which carries a roll I82 fitting in a groove I84 of a cam I86 mounted upon the drive shaft 98.

To vary the degrees of travel of the feed member 46 and the matrix roll 38 in accordance with the desired length of flap, the link I68 may be initially adjusted with relation to the lever I12 by the following mechanism which comprises a crank I88 (Figs. 3 and 9) pivoted to a screw I90 (Fig. 9). Mounted on one end of the screw I90 is a cylindrical nut I92, and keyed to the other end of the screw is a bearing sleeve I94 comprising a gear I96 meshing with a segment gear I98 (Fig. 3 and 9) secured to the lever I12 which is pivoted to the link I16 by a pin 200 and which has secured to it a bushing 202 (Fig. 9) through an arcuate opening 204 (Figs. 3 and 9) of which the screw I90 (Fig. 9) passes. The cylindrical nut I92 and the bearing sleeve I94 fit in alined bores of the bifurcated portion I10 of the link I68. Mounted upon the screw I90 and located between the cylindrical nut I92 and the arm I12 is a washer 206 and located between the arm I 12 and the bearing sleeve I94 is a spring washer 288. The crank I88 is provided with a cam 2I0 which is continuously forced against a washer 212 in engagement with the outer end of the bearing sleeve I 94, through the action of the spring washer 208. When the crank I88 is in the position illustrated in full lines (Fig. 9) the cam 218 has moved the screw I90 to the right with relation to. the bearing sleeve I94, causing the arm I12 to be securely clamped to the bearing sleeve. When the crank I88 is moved to the dotted position (Fig. 9), the screw I90 is forced slightly to the left with relation to the bearing sleeve I94 under the action of the spring washer 288 thereby enabling the operator to turn the crank and the bearing sleeve I94 which is provided with the gear I96 meshing with the segment gear I98, in order to move the link I68 into its proper adjusted position along the arcuate opening 204 (Figs. 3 and 9).

When the feed member 46 has been rotated in a clockwise direction to its extreme position illustrated in Fig. 6, the arm I12 (Fig. 3) is in its lowered position, the arcuate opening 204 being centered about the axis of the pin I66. As above stated, the link I68 may be initially adjusted lengthwise of the arcuate opening 204 with relation to the arm I12 to vary the starting positions of the feed member 46 and the matrix roll 38, the degree of movement of the feed member and accordingly the length of the flap split from the sole varying in accordance with the amount of movement of the lower end of the link I68 about the bearing rod I14.

In order that the operator may determine at a glance when the machine has been adjusted by the above mechanism to split a flap of a predetermined length, there is provided a pointer 2I4 (Figs. 1 and 2) overlying an arcuate gauge 2I6 (Figs. 1, 2 and 6) which is suitably calibrated and is secured by a screw 2I8 (Fig. 6) to the shaft 64.

In order to rotate the matrix roll 38 and the feed member 46 in timed relation there is provided a gear train comprising a gear 220 (Figs. 1 and 7) pinned to the shaft 64 and meshing with a gear 222 which is supported by a collar 224 pivoted upon the shaft 64 and is pinned to a split vertical shaft 226 (Fig. 7) journaled in a collar 228 pivoted upon a shaft 330 mounted. in the bracket I36. A gear 332 pinned to the lower end of the split shaft 226 meshes with a gear 334 which is keyed to the shaft 330. Secured to the left-hand end of the shaft 330 is a gear 336 meshing with a gear 338 mounted upon the shaft I35 and secured to the matrix roll 38 by a pin 340.

As above described, the periphery of the matrix roll 38 comprises three work-engaging sections each provided with one of the cylindrical portions I52 (Figs. '7 and 16) and any one of which may be selectively rotated to its operative position adjacent to the table 52. Accordingly the gear 334 has secured to it an indicating disk 342 (Fig. '7) provided with three notches 344- (Figs. '7 and 8) which are spaced 120 apart and which may be selectively positioned to receive a finger 346 secured to the gear 332. During the operation of the machine the finger 346 moves out of and into the top notch 344, the arrangement being such that when the machine is at rest the finger is in register with said top notch, as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. In order that the gear 334 may be thrown out of mesh with the gear 332 preparatory to rotating the proper section of the periphery of the matrix roll 38 to its operative position adjacent to the table 52 without moving the feed member 46, the shaft 330 may be moved to the right (Fig. '7) after pulling a retaining plunger 348 to its forward position against the action of a spring 349 (Fig. 8), through the provision of a handle 350 pinned to the right-hand end of the shaft 330. periphery of the matrix roll 38 is in its operative position the corresponding slot 344 of the disk 342 is in alinement with the finger 346. The operator then slides the shaft 330 to the left (Fig. 7) causing the gear 334 to mesh with the gear 332 and then releases the plunger 348 which moves to its operative position shown in Fig. 8 to hold the shaft against axial displacement. In order to reduce back lash between the gear I58 When the selected section of the and the segment gear I60 and between the linkages operatively connecting gear segment to the cam I86 there is pinned to the right-hand end of the shaft 64 (Fig. 7) a pulley 352 to which is secured a chain 354 (Fig. 3) normally urged in a clockwise direction by a spring 356.

The sole 32 supported by the table 52 (Figs. and 14) is centralized as it is moved heel-end first toward the back gage 54, by the centralizing fingers 56 which engage opposite sides of the heel-seat portion of the sole, and one of the gages 58. The gages 58 which engage the ball portions (Fig. 14) of right and left soles, respectively, are supported upon bosses 358. Screws 368 are threaded into the gages 58 and pass through bores of the bosses 358, the arrangement being such that the gages may be pivoted about the axis of the screws 368 and then clamped in place against the bosses by setting up said screws. The bosses 358 are secured to slides 362 and 364, respectively, (Figs. 4, 5 and 15) which fit in horizontal guideways in the forward end of the table 52, and are held in said guideways by a cover plate 366 (Figs. 4, 5 and 14) secured by screws 368 to the table. The opposing faces of the slides 362, 364 are provided with racks 37!] (Fig. 15) meshing with a pinion 312 mounted upon a rod 314 journaled in the table 52. When the pinion is rotated, through the provision of a handle 3'56 secured to the rod 314, the gages 58 move equal distances in opposite directions. After the gages 58 have been properly positioned with relation to the vertical plane I54 (Fig. l) a binder screw 318 (Figs. 14 and 15) threaded into the cover 366 is forced against the slide 364 to lock the bosses 358 against movement.

The centralizing fingers 56 (Figs. 5 and 14), which are pivoted on screws 388 threaded into the table 52 and are formed integral with intermeshing gear segments 382, are normally urged toward each other by a spring 384, movement of the fingers toward each other being limited by the table. In order to insure that the forepart of the sole shall not be swung from its centralized position as its heel end is moved rearward against the saw 44 there is provided a spur 388 (Figs. 1, 5 and 6) rotatable about a pin 398 mounted upon a slide 392 fitting in a guideway 394 of a lug 396 which may be secured in different adjusted positions to the carrier 68 by a screw-and-slot connection 398. The slide 362 is normally urged into its lowered position against a stop by a spring 482 which is interposed between a shoulder of the slide and the stop. During the movement of the sole over the table 52 the spur 388 forces the sole against a disk 386 which is journaled in the table and has its upper end projecting slightly above the sole-supporting surface of the table.

It has been found that when the centralizing fingers 56 are free to move toward and away rom each other during the splitting operation they have a tendency to wrinkle the sole. Accordingly the carrier 88 is provided with a depending arm 484 (Figs. 2 and 14) which engages an extension 406 (Fig. 14) of one of the fingers 55 as the feed member 46 and the spur 388 are forced against the sole. When the carrier 68 is in its lowered position the fingers 58 are spaced slightly from the sole and therefore cannot flex the sole as it is fed toward and away from the saw 44.

In order to swing the carrier 68 in timed relation with the lever I62 (Fig. 3) through which the feed member 46 and the matrix roll 38 are operated, there is provided a block 468 (Figs.

2, 3, 4 and which is secured by screws 4) to studs 412 journaled in bosses 4l4 (Fig. 10) of the carrier 66. Passing through a vertical bore in the block 486 is a rod 4I5 (Figs. 4 and 10) the lower end of which is pivoted to an equalizing beam 4l8 pivoted to a pair of rods 426. Interposed between the top of the block 488 and a nut 422 carried by the rod M6 is a coil spring 424 which normally forces another screw 426 carried by the rod 4l6 against the under side of the block. The lower ends of the rods are pivoted to a lever 428 (Figs. 2, 10 and 12) which is secured to a bearing rod 438 (Fig. 2) journalcd in the machine frame and is connected to an upstanding arm 432 constantly urged rearward by a spring 434. The lever 428 has a depending portion carrying a rol 436 (Fig. 12) fitting in a groove 438 (Figs. 2 and 12) formed in a cam 44!). When the cam 448 is rotated the lever 428 swings about the bearing rod 43!) causing the rods 426 to move up and down thereby swinging the carrier 66 about the bearing rod 62 (Figs. 2 and 4).

The feed member 46 comprises an arcuate disk 442 (Fig. 7) which is pinned to the shaft 64 and is grooved to receive plates 444 provided with sole-penetrating teeth 446 extending beyond the periphery of the disk. The plates 444 are clamped to the arcuate disk 442 by plates 44? (Fig. '7) which are secured by screws 449 (Figs. 5, 6 and '7) to said disk. Secured in a circumferential groove of the arcuate disc 442 is a rubber pad 448 which projects slightly beyond the periphery of the disk. As the feed member 46 is forced against the sole the teeth 446 penetrate the same, the rubber pad 448 being compressed until the lower ends of the clamping plates 444 are in approximate engagement with the. sole. The rubber pad 448 serves to push the sole off the teeth 446. Since the carrier 68 is yieldingly forced against the sole through the spring 424 (Figs. 4 and 10) there is no danger of exerting excessive pressure against the sole.

The punch 58 (Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7) which forms the sole-locating recess 36 (Figs. 17 and 18) at the forward end of the heel-seat portion 34 of the sole 32 is mounted for rotation in a bore 458 of. the feed member 46 and the shaft 64. lhe punch 58 comprises an upper portion 452 (Figs. 5 and 6) which is pinned to a bearing 454 fitted in a recess 456 of the feed member 46 and is keyed to a gear 458 meshing with an arcuate rack 468 secured by screws 462 (Figs. 5, 6 and 7) to the main frame of the machine. The lower portion 464 (Figs. 5 and 6) of the punch 58 is threaded into a nut 466 and a lock nut 46'! fitting in a recess 468 of the feed member 46, and has a circular cutting edge 418 (Fig. 5) formed by the intersection of an outer conical end face of the punch and a bore 472 (Fig. 5) which extendsfrom one end of the punch to the other. The upper and lower portions of the punch 56 have fiat overlapping faces 414 (Fig. 6) which are in engagement with each other, the arrangement being such that the lower portion 464 of the punch may be initially adjusted in the feed member 46 in the direction of its axis of rotation to vary the distance that the cutting edge 478 of the punch 58 projects beyond said feed member 46. The lower portion 454 of the punch 58 is rotated in the feed member 46 by the upper portion 452 of the punch which is withdrawn from the bore 456 while the lower portion 454 of the punch is being initially adjusted to its proper position in the feed member. As the punch 56 rotates with the feed member 46 about the axis of the shaft 64 it also rotates about its own axis and penetrates the upper or flesh side of the sole. After forming the recess 36 in the sole the punch is partiallywithdrawn from said recess as it moves bodily over the top of the saw 44 to the position illustrated in Figs. 6 and 21. It will be noted that the punch 56 projects below the periphery of the disk 442 sufficiently to enter the section 443 of the sole removed by the saw 44.

In order to eject the core of sole material from the bore 412 there is provided a plunger 476, which fits in said bore 422 and has a flat portion 418 (Fig. for receiving a screw 486 through which the plunger is retained in said bore. When said core enters the lower end of the bore 412 it forces the plunger 416 upward (Fig. 6) causing its upper end to project above the pinion 458. During the retractive movement of the feed member 46 the upper end of the plunger 416 engages a disk 482 pivoted to the carrier 60 causing the plunger to push the core from the lower end of the bore 412.

In order to move the back gage 54 into and away from its operative position (Figs. 4 and 5) in front of the cutting edge 42 of the saw 44 there is provided a link 484 (Fig. 2) the rear end of which is pivoted to the block 82 and the forward end of which is pivoted to a lever 486 secured to a rod 483 (Fig. 4). Arms 496 of a parallel link construction are secured to the rod 488 and carry a pin 489 upon which is pivoted the gage 54, the rear end of the gage being urged toward a stop 492 by a leaf spring 494. When the block 82 is moved to the right (Fig. 4) to move the saw 44 into its operative position adjacent to the matrix roll 38, the arms 496 are moved in a counterclockwise direction causing the gage 54 to swing away from the matrix roll 38 into its inoperative position. After the sole has been split (Fig. 6) the link 484 (Fig. 2) is moved to the left, together with the saw 42, causing the lever 486 to move in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, and consequently forcing the gage 54 against the flesh side of the heelseat portion of the sole which is about to be moved out of the machine by the feed member 46. The arms 496 continue to swing a few degrees in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, after the gage 54 has contacted the flesh side of the sole, causing the rear end of the gage to be moved away from the stop 492. As the sole is moved from underneath the forward end of the gage 54 said forward end is forced into its operative position (Fig. 5) adjacent to the matrix roll 38 (Figs. 4 and 5) under the action of the leaf spring 494. In order to insure against any back play in the back gage 54 there is provided a spring 496 (Fig. 4) the rear end of which is secured to the frame of the machine and the forward end of which is secured to one of the arms 496. V

In operating the machine the operator places the sole grain-side down upon the table 52 and moves the same rearward until the rear end of the sole engages the back gage 54 (Fig. 6). The heel end of the sole is centralized by the fingers 56 as the sole is moved rearward, the forepart of the sole being centralized by moving the ball portion of the same into engagement with one of the gages 58.

The treadle 66 is then depressed causing the tubular saw 44 which rotates continuously, to move forward into its operative position adjacent to the periphery of the matrix roll 38 and causing the feed member 46, the presser fingers 40 and the spur 388 to swing downward with the carrier 66 against the sole. As soon as the sole is engaged by the feed member 46 the back gage 541s moved to its inoperative position away from the cutting edge 42 of the saw 44. The feed member 46 and the matrix roll 38 are then rotated in clockwise and counterclockwise directions, respectively, to force the sole against the saw 44 thereby forming the heel-breast covering flap 36 and the heel-breast receiving shoulder 48. As the sole is fed rearward against the saw 44 the punch 50 forms the recess 36 in the forward end of the heel-seat portion of the sole. After the sole has been split the saw 44 is moved to its retracted position away from the matrix roll 38 to enable the sole to be withdrawn from the machine without danger of damaging the flap, and

the feed member 46 and the matrix roll 38 are rotated in reverse directions back to their starting positions. The carrier 68 is then swung to its raised position (Figs. 4 and 5) to enable the operator to remove the split sole from the machine.

The machine comes to rest after it has completed one cycle if the operator releases the treadle 66 immediately after starting the machine. As above stated, the machine may be run continuously by keeping the treadle 66 depressed, the operator removing the split sole from the machine and inserting another sole in the machine while the carrier 66 is in its raised position (Figs. 4 and 5).

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A splitting machine having, in combination, a cutter, means for feeding a sole against the cutter to split a heel-breast covering flap from the sole, and a punch connected to said means for forming in the heel-seat portion of the sole a recess which may be utilized for locating the sole upon the shoe upper.

2. A splitting machine having, in combination, a saw, mechanism for supporting and positioning a sole, a feed member, means for effecting relative movement of said saw and said feed member to split a heel-breast covering flap from the sole, and means for forming in the heel-seat portion of the sole a recess which may be utilized for locating the sole upon the shoe upper.

3. A splitting machine having, in combination, a cutter, a support for a work piece, a feed member constructed and arranged to force the work piece upon the support against the cutter to split a portion of said work piece, a punch rotatable in said feed member and constructed and arranged to form a recess in one of the split portions of the work piece, and means for rotating the punch as it moves with the feed member.

4. A splitting machine having, in combination, a cutter, a matrix for supporting the heel end of a sole, a presser member for forcing said heel end of the sole against the matrix, a feed member rotatable about an axis to move the heel end of the sole against the cutter to split a heelbreast covering flap from the sole, and a punch movable about said axis with said feed member and constructed and arranged to form at the forward end of the heel-seat portion of the sole a recess which may be utilized for locating the sole upon the shoe upper.

5. A splitting machine having, in combination, a saw, a matrix for supporting a work piece, a presser member, a feed member rotatable about an axis for moving the work piece supported by the matrix against the saw to split said work piece, and a punch movable about said axis with the feed member and constructed and arranged to form a recess in one of the split portions of the Work piece.

6. A splitting machine having, in combination, a saw, a matrix for supporting the heel end of a sole, a presser member, an arcuate feed member rotatable about an axis for moving the sole forced against the matrix by said presser member against the saw to split a heel-breast covering flap from the sole, a punch rotatable in said feed member and movable about said axis with said feed member, said punch being constructed and arranged to form in the forward end of the heel-seat portion of the sole a recess which may be utilized for locating the sole upon the shoe upper, and means for rotating the punch in said feed member as it is swung about said axis.

'7. A splitting machine having, in combination, a cutter, a support for a flexible work piece, a feed member constructed and arranged to force the work piece against the cutter to split said work piece, a hollow punch carried by the feed member and constructed and arranged to form a recess in the Work piece, and a plunger for ejecting material removed from the work piece by said punch.

8. A splitting machine having, in combination, a tubular saw, a matrix roll for supporting a work piece, means for forcing the work piece against the matrix roll, a feed member constructed and arranged to force the work piece against the saw to split said Work piece, a hollow punch carried by the feed member and constructed and arranged to form a recess in one of. the split portions of said work piece as the work piece is forced against the saw, and a plunger for ejecting material removed from the work piece by the punch.

9. A splitting machine having, in combination, a cutter, a matrix for supporting the heel end of a sole, a presser member, a feed member rotatable about an axis for moving the sole forced against the matrix by the presser member against the saw to split a heel-breast covering flap from the sole, a hollow punch rotatable in the feed member and movable about said axis with said feed member, said punch being constructed and arranged to form at the forward end of the heel-seat portion of the sole a recess which may be utilized for locating the sole upon the shoeupper, means for rotating the punch asit is swung about saidaxis with the feed member, and a plunger movable through the punch to eject material removed from the work piece by said punch.

10. A splitting machine having, in combination, a cutter, a matrix for supporting a work piece, means for flexing the work piece in accordance with the shape of said matrix, a feed member for forcing the work piece against the cutter, a gage for positioning the work piece lengthwise upon the matrix, and mechanism for moving the gage to and from its operative position in front of the cutting edge of the cutter and adjacent to the matrix, said gage being yieldable with relation to said mechanism under pressure of a work piece supported by the matrix.

11. A splitting machine having, in combination, a matrix roll, a tubular cutter having a cutting edge pcsitioned adjacent to said matrix roll, a gage, a member to which the gage is pivoted, said member being constructed and arranged to move said gage to and from its. operative posi-.

tion in front of the cutting edge of the cutter and adjacent to the periphery of the matrix roll, and resilient means for normally retaining said gage in a predetermined position with relation to said member but permitting the gage to be swung under pressure with relation to said member.

12. A splitting machine having, in combination, a cutter, members for flexing the heel end of a sole to. a predetermined shape, means for moving the heel end of the sole guided by said members in one direction with relation to the cutter to split a heel-breast covering flap from the sole and then in a reverse direction, and mechanism operated in timed relation with said means for moving the cutter away from said means after the sole has been split to facilitate the removal of the split sole from the machine.

13. A splitting machine having, in combination, a tubular saw, means. for rotating the saw, mechanism constructed and arranged to flex the heel end of a sole and to move the same toward the saw in order to split a heel-breast covering fiap from the sole and to form a. heel-breast receiving shoulder upon the sole, said mechanism being constructed and arranged to move the heel end of the sole away from the cutter after it has been split, and means operated in timed relation with said mechanism for moving the saw away from said mechanism in the direction of its axis of rotation in order to insure that the flap shall not be damaged during the removal of the sole from the machine.

14. A splitting machine having, in combination, a tubular saw rotatable about an axis and having a circular cutting edge, a matrix roll rotatable about an axis disposed at right angles to the axis of rotation of the saw, the major portion of the periphery of said roll having a transverse radius of curvature approximately equal to the radius of curvature of the cutting edge of the saw, a mechanically operated feed member movable in timed. relation with the matrix roll through a predetermined arc to force the sole against the saw thereby to split a heel-breast covering flap from the sole and to form a heelbreast receiving shoulder on said. sole, and means for varying the degree of movement of the feed member to vary the length of the heel-breast covering flap.

15. A, splitting machine having, in combination, a power driven cutter, a matrix, means for moving a work piece supported by the matrix against the cutter, a, bracket for supporting the matrix, said bracket. beingmovable to a predetermined position away from the saw to move the matrix away from its operative position adjacent to the saw thereby facilitating the sharpening of the saw or the replacement of the saw in the machine, and means responsive to movement of the bracket for preventing the cutter from being power driven when the bracket has been moved to said predetermined position.

16. A splitting machine having, in combination, a tubular saw which is power driven, a matrix roll and a table for supporting a work piece, a bracket for supporting the matrix roll and the table, said bracket being movable to a predetermined position away from the saw to move the matrix roll and the table away from their operative positions adjacent to the saw thereby facilitating. the sharpening of the saw or the replacement of the saw in the machine and means responsive to movement of said bracket for insuring against. the sawbeing power 15.

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driven when the bracket has been moved to said predetermined position.

17. A splitting machine having, in combination, a tubular saw, a matrix roll, a carrier, a feed member and a presser member mounted upon the carrier, yieldable means for moving the carrier toward said matrix roll, and mechanism operated in timed relation with said yieldable means for rotating the matrix roll and the feed member tomove a work piece against the saw.

18. A splitting machine having, in combination, a cutter, a matrix roll the periphery of which comprises a plurality of work-engaging sections, a presser member for forcing a Work piece against one of the sections of said matrix roll which is in an operative position adjacent to the cutter, a feed member for moving said work piece against the cutter to split the same, means comprising a pair of gears normally in mesh with each other for driving the matrix roll and the feed member in timed relation, and means for moving one of said gears out of and into mesh with said other gear and for rotating the matrix roll without moving said feed member in order selectively to move one of said sections of the periphery of said matrix roll to its operative position adjacent to the cutter.

19. A splitting machine having, in combination, a tubular saw, a matrix roll the periphery of which comprises a plurality of work-engaging sections, a presser member for forcing a work piece against one of the sections of said matrix roll which is in its operative position adjacent to said saw, a feed member for moving the work piece against the saw to split said work piece, means comprising a pair of gears which are nor- 'mally in mesh with each other for driving the matrix roll and the feed member in timed relation, an indexing member which is secured to one of said gears and is provided with circumferentially spaced notches, a finger secured to said other gear and constructed and arranged to fit in one of the notches of said indexing member, means for rotating said one gear when out of mesh with said other gear in order to rotate a selected section of the matrix roll to its operative position to the saw determined by the alining of one of said notches of the indexing member with said finger, and means for locking said gears in mesh after the matrix roll has been initially adjusted with relation to the feed member and said one gear has been moved back into mesh with said other gear.

20. A splitting machine having, in combination, a matrix roll, a table for supporting a sole the heel end of which is in engagement with said matrix roll, gaging means for locating the sole lengthwise and widthwise upon the table and the matrix roll, a tubular cutter positioned adjacent to said matrix roll, a carrier, a presser member, a rotatable spur and a feed member mounted upon said carrier, said spur and said feed member having sole-penetrating teeth, means for moving the carrier toward the matrix roll to cause the presser member to force the sole against the periphery of the matrix roll and to cause the feed member and the spur to penetrate the sole, and means for rotating the feed member with relation to the carrier to force the heel end of the sole against the cutter in order to split a heel-breast covering flap from the sole.

21. A splitting machine having, in combination, a cutter, a matrix, a back gage for positioning a sole lengthwise upon the matrix, centralizing gages movable toward and away from each other and constructed and arranged to engage opposite sides of the heel end of the sole to position the same widthwise upon the matrix, means for feeding the sole in one direction toward the cutter to split a heel-breast covering flap from the sole and then in a reverse direction to move the split sole away from the cutter, means for moving said back gage away from the sole before said sole is fed toward the cutter, and means for causing said centralizing gages to be held out of contact with the sole as it is fed toward and away from the cutter.

22. A splitting machine having, in combination, a cutter, a support for a shoe part, a feed member constructed and arranged to force the shoe part upon the support against the cutter to split said shoe part, and a punch carried by the feed member and constructed and arranged to form a jig hole in a split portion of the shoe part as said shoe part is being split.

23. A splitting machine having, in combination, a cutter, a support for a sole, a feed member constructed and arranged to force the sole upon the support against the cutter to split said sole, means comprising said support for flexing the sole as it is fed against the cutter, and a punch carried by the feed member and constructed and arranged to form a jig hole in a split portion of the sole as said shoe part is being split.

LEWIS J. BAZZONI. 

